Automatic switch.



J. L. McQUARRIE.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLlCATlON FILED APR. 27, 1918.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

' I? v enfor:

James A. fi7-47aarr/e.

2m: locus win an. rum

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

JAMES L. MCQUARRIE, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, .ASSIG-NOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 013 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES L. MCQUARRIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to telephone exchange systems employing machine switching apparatus for the purpose of extending and completing conversational connections between subscribers lines. More particularly it relates to the provision of a novel or anization of operating parts and elements constituting a selectively operable automatic switching mechanism for use in such systems, which is eflicient and dependable in its operation, simple in construction, and economical to manufacture.

Generally stated the principal object of the invention consists in the provision of an automatic switch so constructed and arranged that a single set of movable contacts or brushes, operated by means of a selectively controlled operating mechanism, are movable first into operative relation with any one of a comparatively large number of primary groups of multiple contact members, second into operative relation to a desired one of a number of secondary groups in the chosen group, and finally into engagement with a desired set of line or circuit terminals in such secondary group.

In accordance with the foregoing object a feature of the invention relates to the provision of a contact bank comprising primary groups of vertically arranged fiat multiple contact layers, the several groups being disposed along the arc of a circle about the central axis of the brush operating mechanism. By such an arrangement of the multiple contact bank, together with the construction of the swit h operating mechanism associated therewith, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes is adapted in the first movement of the switch to be revolved bodily in the plane of the axis of said shaft about an axis perpendicular to its own axis to select a group of contact layers. During the second movement the brush shaft is thrust radially in the plane of the axis of the shaft to select the proper contact layer in the selected group. and lastly, in the third movement of the switch the brush shaft is rotated about its own axis to wipe the brushes over the group of terminals in such layer, and into engagement with the desired set of terminals therein.

Another feature resides in the arrangement of the operating mechanism in a selective switch of this type wherein it is only necessary to provide two directively operated atuating magnets to perform the three distinct and different movements of the brush shaft. To such an end there is provided, as will be more clearly set forth hereinafter, certain automatically controlled mechanical changeover devices designed to become effective at the cessation of one selective movement so as to prepare the operating mechanism to advance the brush shaft in the proper direction during the following selective movement.

It is to be observed that a selective switch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may be arranged to serve a comparatively large number of lines or trunks, as for instance 500 or 1000; it being only necessary to add as many groups of multiple circuit terminal layers as is required to secure the capacity desired for the switch.

In the drawing, Figurel is a view in perspective showing an automatic selective switch embodying the features of construction and operation of the invention. This figure illustrates the manner in which the groups of multiple contact layers are arranged about the arc of a circle, together with a centrally located switch operating mechanism including a brush carrying shaft which extends radially into a position where it may be operatively associated with any of the groups constituting the contact bank. Certain parts of the switch are seen to be broken away, and where necessary to a clearer understanding of the operation. other parts have been omitted entirely. Fig. 2 is a detail partially in cross section taken as on the line indicated at 22 in Fig. 1, and shows the switch parts in the position they assume during the first or group selecting movement of the brushes; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-se tional detail similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 but showing the switch parts in the position they assume after the mechanical change-over operation has taken place at the end of the first selective movement, and preparatory to the second selection of the brush shaft; Fig. 1 is a view of a member designed to lock the brush shaft in position during its final or contact selecting movement; and Fig. 5 is a plan of one of the multiple contact layers.

Referring to the drawing and more especially to Figs. 1 and 5 thereof, the contact bank is seen to comprise a plurality of primary groups of multiple contact layers, each group consisting of ten layers such as 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 4, etc., the several groups being arranged vertically and disposed along the arc of a circle. In a 1000-line switch there would be ten of these primary groups, the first group containing the multiplecontacts of the first hundreds group of outgoing circuits, the second group, the multiple contacts of the second hundreds group Of outgoing circuits, and so on for the remaining groups. Each of the flat layers or panels such as 1, 1 is provided with a row of ten multiple contacts of outgoing circui'ts as indicated at 5, 5. contact rows 5, 5 extend circularly across the face of layers 1, 1, etc., so as to be engaged by the movable brushes of the switch operating mechanism associated with this particular vertical position in the contact bank. The circuits represented by the contacts 5, 5 will also have an appearance in multiple contacts at as many other vertical positions in layers 1, 1, 2, 2, etc., of the several groups as is desired. And for each verticalposition to which the outgoing circuits are multipled there maybe provided a switching mechanism with cooperating brushes similar to the one disclosed in the drawing. The arrangement of the contact bank in flat layers or panels as described enables a very simple and economical construction, in that each of the layersl, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, may be made as independent units; the contact portions 5, 5 of each strip being formed as integral portions of multiple contact members 80 and multipled to the requisite number of positions in the same strip, thereby obviating the necessity of jumper wires or other similar expedients.

Arranged parallel to the contact groups and at the center of the are about which they are disposed is the common bearing and operating shaft 6 of the switch mechanism. The shaft 6 at its lower end is supported by and has a bearing in an inwardly projecting arm 7 of the frame 8. A nut 5 threaded on the end of said shaft serves to retain the same against vertical displacement. Loosely mounted upon shaft 6 so as to rest normally on the upper surface of arm 7' is a notched disk 9, the purpose of which will be explained later. Rotatably and. slidably mounted on shaft 7 above the disk 9 is a gear member 10. A second gear member 11 arranged to cooperate with mernber 10 is likewise mounted-on shaft 6' The ential surface of the gear member 11 serves 7 as a bearing upon which is journaled a yoke 13 provided with the downwardly extending arms 14 and 15. The sleeve portion 16 at the 7 upper end of yoke 13, which bears upon the outer surface of gear member 11, is provided at its extreme end, as best seen in Figs. 2 and .3, with an external screw thread 17. Loosely fitted so as to have a rotatable bearing on the external surface of the por tion 16 of yoke 13 is a ratchet wheel 18, the lower surface of which rests on an arm 19 projecting from frame 8. The arm 19 loosely encircles the portion 16 of yoke 13, and thereby serves as a common hearing and'support for the rotatable shaft 6, gear member 11, yoke 13 and ratchet wheel 18. The several parts thus far enumerated, having been assembled in the manner described, are secured in position in proper working relation to each other by means of an internally threaded ring 20 which engages the externally threaded end of portion 16 of yoke 13.

It will best be observed at this point that the upper end surface of the sleeve portion 16 of yoke 13, the threaded ring 20, and the embossed surface 21 of ratchet wheel 18 are each provided with two diametri cally opposite and radially extending slots 22' (see Figs. 1 and 3). The upper end of gear member 11 is provided with two similarly arranged fingers 23. When yoke 13 and ratchet 18 are in their normal relative rotary positions, the slots 22 in these respective members register with each other and are adapted to receive the fingers 23 on gear member 11, provided said member is in its lowermost position on shaft 6 as shown in Fig. 2. This arrangement provides a means whereby ratchet wheel 18 and yoke 13 may be locked to each other against relative rotation, while at the same time both are constrained to participate in the rotary movement of gear member 11 and the common shaft 6. When, however, the gear member 10 is elevated, as will hereinafter be described, to bring the teeth 21 thereon into mesh with the teeth 25 on gear member 11, and also to cause said latter member to be elevated on the shaft 6, the locking fingers 23 are lifted out of their engagement switch slots 22. This condition is seen in Fig. 3 and with the mechanism in such a position the ratchet wheel 18 is no longer locked to yoke 13 and gear member 11, but is free to rotate relative to and independently of both these elements.

A ms 14 and 15 of yoke 13 are provided with lateral supporting extensions '26" and;

27 respectively, the former having a second extension 28, which projects radially from the central shaft 6. The extensions 26 and 27 are each provided with a rectangular bearing slot which is arranged substantially in alinement with the aperture in a circular bearing sleeve 29 formed on the overtuned end of extension piece 28. Slidably mounted in the rectangular openings in extensions 26 and 27 is a rack 30, the teeth of which are constantly in mesh with the teeth 31 of gear member 10. The brush shaft 32 is loosely supported in sleeve 29 of extension 28 in alinement with rack 30, and is connected to said rack by means of asocket joint 83, whereby the brush shaft is controlled radially by movement of rack 30 but may rotate independently thereof about its own axis. The sleeve 29 forms the bearing for a second sleeve 34, to which is secured a sector shaped lever 35. A key-way in sleeve 34 is adapted to receive the spline 36 on the brush shaft, such that said shaft may slide freely through sleeve 34, but is required to rotate when rotary movement is imparted to sector 35.

Either attached to or made integral with the extension piece 28 of yoke 13 is a notched bar 37, which has a notch for each of the ten layers, 1, 1, 2, 2, of multiple contacts. A locking disk 38 securely fastened on shaft 32 is arranged to cotiperate with bar 37 in such a manner that. during the radial movement of said shaft the longer projection 39 of disk 38, Fig. 4. slides along the smooth surface of bar 37. en, however, the brush shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the left, the shorter projection 41 of disk 38 passes between two adjacent teeth 40 and locks the shaft against further radial movement.

A set of brushes 42 are conveniently secured to the end of shaft 32 as by means of screw 43, insulating pieces being interposed to insulate the brushes from each other and from the shaft. With the switch mechanism in its normal position. the brush set 42 oocupies the position shown in Fig. 1. A spring 44, one end of which is fastened to lever 35 and the other end to extension 28, urges shaft 32 in a counter-clockwise direction, the engagement of projection 39 with bar 37 serving as a limiting stop, whereby brush set 42 is maintain ed in proper working relation to the contact bank.

Each of the arms 14 and 15 of yoke member 13 is provided with a pair of lugs 45 and 46 respectively. Pivotall I supported by lugs 45 is a lever 47, the lever arm 48 of which is overtuned to extend radially from the axis of shaft 6, while the upper arm 49 projects at right angles to arm 48 to a point above the rack 30. The lugs 46 on arm 15 are likewise provided with a pivotal lever 50 having arms 51 and 52 arranged similarly to those of lever. 47. The upper arms 49 and 52 of levers 47 and 50 are connected together by means of a pivotal link 53 as shown in Fig. 1, such that any rotary movement of one of said levers is accompanied by a corresponding movement of the other lever. A spring 54 interconnecting extension 26 and arm 49 of lever 47 constantly tends to rotate both levers 47 and 50 in their supporting lugs. When shaft 32 is in its restored position, a pin 55 projecting above the upper surface of rack 30, Fig. 1, engages arm 52 of lever 50 and rotates both levers 47 and 50 against spring 54 to their normal position, with the arms 48 and 51 thereof in alinement with each other and coincident with a diameter of disk 9. Arms 14 and 15 are also provided with inwardly projecting pieces 56 and 57, the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

The disk 9, which as above stated is loosely arranged on the lower end of shaft 6, has a series of notches 58 cut in its periphery, each of these notches corresponding to one of the successive groups of contact layers in the contact bank. Disk 9 is arranged to be moved verticallv on shaft 6 by means of the armature 59 of an electromagnet 60. Armature 59, which is pivoted to support 61 engages the disk 9 by means of a pair of dia metrically arranged posts 62, secured to disk 9, and to which the armature 59 is pivotally connected. The magnet 60 is mounted on frame 8.

The ratchet wheel 18 is provided with an 'integral sector-shaped lever 64. similar to lever 35, and which has a beveled gear engagement therewith as shown in Fig. 1. Ratchet wheel 18 is arranged to be rotated step by step by means of the armature 65 of stepping magnet 66. Mounted securely on the upper end of shaft 6 by means of nut 76 is a ratchet wheel 67 adapted to impart the first two selective movements to the brush shaft 32. A stepping magnet 68, mounted on the switch frame, has an armature 69 provided with a pivotal pawl arranged to engage and rotate ratchet wheel 67. A coiled spring 70, one end of which is fastened to ratchet 67 and the other end to the switch frame 8, is effective to restore shaft 6 and its oiiperating elements to normal position. Ratchet wheels 67 and 18 are held in their advanced positions by holding dogs 71 and 72 respectively. Both the hold ing dogs 71 and 72 are operated to release their respective ratchets 67 and 18 upon energization of release magnet 73 and the re sultant attraction of its armature 7 4.

A description of the construction of the switch having thus been given its manner of operation will now be explained. Assuming it is desired to extend an incoming trunk or other circuit into connect-ion with an outgoin circuit whose contacts appear in one of the rows 5, 5 of a particular group of to select the proper of shaft 6 and gear member 11 multiple contact layers, it is then necessary to direct three separate series of impulses to the operating magnets of the switch; the first to select the proper group; the second layer such as 1, 1, 2, 2, etc., in the group; and the third to select the desired contacts in the layer. The first of these series of impulses is sent to the magnet 68, which responds by attracting its armature 69 to advance ratchet wheel 67 one step forward against the tension of spring for each impulse received. At this time the switch parts are in their normal relative positions, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, with fingers 23 resting in slots 22, whereby shaft 6, gear member 11, yoke 13, and ratchet wheel 18 are all looked together for common rotary motion. Consequently for each step of ratchet wheel 67, the above members are all advanced one step in a clockwise direction as viewed from thetop. Each successive step of the yoke member 13 revolves the brush shaft 32 in the plane of its axis to position brush set as in operative relation to the successive groups of multiple contact layers 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, etc., the last step serving to position the brushes with respect to the desired group.

At the end of the first series the shift magnet 60 is energized, and by attracting its armature 59 elevates the notched disk 9 and gear member 10- on shaft 6. With disk 9 in its elevatedposition the two diametrically opposite notches 58 therein which correspond to the selected. group in the contact bank have passed up over the arms 18 and 51 of levers 47 and 50, and into horizontal alinement with looking projections 56 and 57 carried by arms 14: and 15 respectively'of yoke 13. Elevation of gear member 10 also causes the teeth 24L thereon to mesh with teeth 25 on gear member 11, while at the same time said'member 11 is forced to slide vertically upward on shaft 6 to thereby carry fingers 23 ment with slots 22, as is best seen in Fig. 3.

The second series of impulses is now sent to the operating magnet 68, which, as be fore, operates in response thereto to step ratchet wheel 67 and shaft 6 around a corre sponding number steps. During this operation the ratchet wheel 18 and yoke member 13, being unlocked from the other rotatable elements, remain at rest. The engagement of projections 56 and 57 with the notches 58 of the non-rotatable disk 9 serves to prevent the liability of any accidental rotary displacement of yoke 13 during the second selective movement of the switch. Rotation does, however, result in a corresponding step-by-step rotation of the gear member 10. With the yoke 13 held stationary at this time rotation of gear member 10 operates to move rack 30 and the brush shaft 32radi'ally to advance brush set 4C2 step by step into operative relaout of their locking engagestep, pin 55 thereon disengages arm 52 of.

lever 50 and permits spring 5st to rotate both levers 17 and 50 in thelr supporting lugs 4:5

and 46 respectively. Since the disk9 is being held in its elevated position by the energization of magnet 60 rotation of levers 4:7

and 50 causes the lower arms a8 and 51 there-V of respectively to move out of registration with notches 58 and into a position under the teeth of disk 9 formed by the notches 58 thereon. The shift magnet 60 may then be deenergized, the levers 4:7 and 50 serving to lock disk 9 in its elevated position.

The apparatus is now in condition for its tertiary or contact selecting movement, and to perform this operation the final series of impulses is directed to'the electromagnet 66. The successive energizations of magnet 66 actuate armature 65 to rotate ratchet wheel 18 and its integral lever 6& step by step in a counter-clockwise direction as received from the top. The lever 6& by being rotated in this manner causes its cooperating lever 35 to be rotated in a clockwise direction, looking to the right, whereby brush shaft 32 is similarly rotated to wipe the brush set 412 over the circular row of contacts 5, 5 in the selected layer. On the first rotation of shaft 32 locking disk 38 passes between two adjacent teeth 40 on bar .37,

thus preventing radial displacement of shaft 32, and also insuring a uniform pressure of the brushes upon their coiiperating contacts. The last impulse of the final series operates to position brush set 42 in engagement with the desired set of circuit contacts; and said brush set is maintained in this set position by the engagement of holding dogs 71 and 72 with ratchets 67 and 18 respectively.

lVhen it is desired to releasethe switch, magnet 73 is energized, thereby withdrawing holding dogs 71 and 72 from their respective ratchet wheels. Upon" release of ratchet 18, the spring at operates to rotate the bevel geared levers 35 and 6% back to their normal relative posltions, and to rotate brush set 412 out of engagement with the contacts 5, Although ratchet wheel 67 is also released the spring 70 is ineffective to rotate shaft 6 at this time by reason of the fact that the brush shaft 32 and rack 30 are locked gagement with bar 37, and spring 7 0 rotates gear members 11 and 10 to withdraw shaft 32 to its normal radial position. As rack 30 reaches its innermost position the pin 55 agam strikes lever arm 52, thereby rotating.

levers 47 and 50 back into a position where arms 48 and 51 register with notches 58 in disk 9. The disk 9 being thus unlocked drops to its lower position on shaft 6, followed by gear member 10, which consequently disengages gear member 11. The

disen a ement of member 10 from member 11 permits the latter to descend 011 shaft 6, whereby fingers 23 again drop into slots 22. Shaft 6, gear member 11, yoke 13 and ratchet wheel 18 being all locked together by fingers 23 are now rotated by spring 7 0 back to nor mal;- the switching mechanism thus being completely restored and ready for further use.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a switching mechanism, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, means for mov ing said shaft about an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of the shaft in a first selec tive movement, means for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis in a second selec-' tive movement, and means for rotating said shaft about its axis in a third selective movement to engage said set of brushes with a set of stationary contacts.

2. In a switching mechanism, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, means for rotating said shaft about an axis at right angles to the axis of the shaft in a first selective movement, means for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis in a second selective movement, and means for rotating said shaft about its axis in a third selective movement to engage said set of brushes with a set of stationary contacts.

3. In a switch, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, mechanism for moving said shaft about an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of the shaft in a first selective move ment. mechanism for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis in a second selective movement, mechanism for rotating said shaft about its axis in a third selective movement to engage said brushes with a set of stationary contacts, and a pair of electromagnets for operating said mechanisms.

4. In a switch, a contact bank comprising a plurality of groups of multiple contact members, each member consisting of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, means including a stepping magnet for rotating said shaft about an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of the shaft to select a group of contact members, means including said stepping magnet for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis to select one of said contact members, and means including a second stepping magnet for rotating said shaft about its axis to select a set of contacts in the selected contact member.

5. In a switch, a contact bank comprising a plurality of groups of multiple contact members, each member consisting of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, means including an electromagnet for rotating said shaft about an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of the shaft to select a group of contact members, means including said electromagnet for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis to select one of said contact members, means including a second electromagnet for rotating said shaft about its axis to select a set of contacts in the selected contact member, means for holding said shaft in its set position, and a third electromagnet controlling said holding means for releasing said shaft to its normal position.

6. In a switch, a contact bank comprising a plurality of groups of' multiple contact members, each member consisting of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cocperate with said contacts, an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of the shaft, means for rotating said shaft about said first axis to select a group of contact members, means for locking said shaft against further rotation about said first axis, means for thereupon moving said shaft in the direction of its axis to select one of said contact members, and means for then rotating said shaft about its axis to select a set of contacts in the selected contact member.

7. In a switch, a contact bank comprising a plurality of groups of multiple contact members, each member consisting of sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, an axis arranged at right angles to the axis of said shaft, a stepping magnet for rotating said shaft about the first mentioned axis to select a group of contact members, means for locking the shaft against further rotation about said first axis, said stepping magnet being arranged to thereupon move said shaft in the direction of its axis to select one of said contact members, and a second stepping magnet for rotating said shaft about its axis to select a set of contacts in the selected contact member.

8. In a switch, a plurality of fiat multiple contact members arranged in groups, each contact member comprising sets of stationary contacts, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes arranged to cooperate with said contacts, an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of said shaft, operating mechanism for moving said shaft about said first axis to iary select a group of contact members, operating mechanism for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis to select one of said contact members, and operating mechanism for rotating said shaft about its axis to select a set of contacts in the selected contact memher.

9. In a switch, a plurality of flat multiple contact members arranged in groups, each contact member comprising sets of stationcontacts, said groups of contact members being arranged along an arcuate surface, a shaft having its axis coincident with the axis of said arcuate surface, a brush shaft having its axis at right angles to the first-. mentioned shaft, brushes on said brush shaft arranged to cooperate with said contacts, means for rotating the brush shaft about said first shaft to select a group of contact members, means for moving the brush shaft in the direction of its axis to select one of said contact members, and means for rotating the brush shaft about its axis to select a set of contacts in the selected contact member.

10. In a switch, a plurality of multiple contact members, each member comprising a series of multiple contacts arranged in a plane surface, said members being arranged Copies of thispatent may be obtained for in groups, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes to cooperate with said contacts, means for moving said shaft about an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of the shaft in a first selective movement, means for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis in a second selective movement, and means for rotating said shaft about its axis in a third selective movement to engage said set of brushes with a set of multiple contacts.

11. In a switch, a plurality of multiple contact layers, each layer comprising a plurality of contact members each having a plurality of contact portions thereon, the contact portions of the several members of a layer being arranged in'rows in a plane sur face, a brush shaft carrying a set of brushes to cooperate with said contacts, means for moving said shaft about an axis at an angle to the axis of the shaft in a first selecting movement, means for moving said shaft in the direction of its axis in a second selecting movement, and means for rotating said shaft about its axis in a third selecting movement.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe arranged V my name this 24th day of'April A. D., 1918.

JAMES L; MCQUARRIE,

five cents each, 'by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

